Wozniacki blows away Lepchenko on Centre Court

London (Reuters): Caroline Wozniacki crushed a nervous Varvara Lepchenko 6-0 6-3 on Centre Court when she opened her bid yesterday to add Wimbledon to her Australian Open crown.

The Danish second seed strolled through the first set before meeting some resistance from her American opponent at the beginning of the second, finding herself a break of service down before recovering to wrap up the win in 59 minutes.

“It was great just to get in and out. I didn’t have much of a turnaround from Eastbourne,” she said referring to the preparation tournament she won on 30 June. “It was nice to get on court today, win, then I have a day off tomorrow. I can enjoy a little bit of downtime,” added the 27-year-old. Wozniacki, who took her tournament tally to 29 titles at Eastbourne, said she was comfortable on grass as she looks to progress beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time.

Serena starts with a win

Reuters: Seven-times Wimbledon champion Serena Williams got her campaign off to the perfect start with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands yesterday.